Christianity Today

• Focus on the Family is taking the reins of the Day of Truth, which was previously run by Exodus International and the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF). The rebranded "Day of Dialogue" is an annual event that coincides with the "Day of Silence" events sponsored by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN). Candi Cushman said on CitizenLink's webcast that students should both stand against bullying and offer the hope of the gospel and God's plan for sexuality. The ADF will also provide free legal assistance for students who need it. In CitizenLink's weekly webcast, Cushman emphasized the role teens should have in standing up against bullying. "We are absolutely opposed to bullying of any kind, including students who identify as gay and lesbian," said Cushman. "In fact, Christian students should be the first ones standing up against that, against harmful behavior against any student."

• The FRC is short of the one million people it had hoped would pray regularly for Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC) and other leaders. As of yesterday, the FRC had just over 28,000 pledges.

• One of the targets of pro-life groups this election was Rep. Steve Driehaus (D-OH). During the election, the Susan B. Anthony List (SBA List) wanted to launch a billboard campaign claiming that Driehaus voted for federal funding of abortion (due to his support for the final health care law). Driehaus complained to the Ohio Election Commission, which found sufficient grounds for a hearing on whether the billboards were false. The SBA List appealed to the federal courts, asserting a violation of its constitutional rights. It lost. Driehaus has now withdrawn his complaint. SBA List president Marjorie Dannenfelser said, "The SBA List remains gravely concerned that the statute allowing Rep. Driehaus to launch his complaint … remains law and can be used to silence free speech again. … The SBA List will continue to pursue its federal case to declare the law unconstitutional in an effort to protect future speech."

• Is the Medal of Honor being "feminized"? The AFA's Bryan Fischer said that while Army Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta deserved the Medal of Honor, he said, "We have feminized the Medal of Honor." The problem, according to Fischer, is that the award has recently been given only to those who save American lives, not to those who inflict casualties. "We rightly honor those who give up their lives to save their comrades. It's about time we started also honoring those who kill bad guys," said Fischer.

• With part one of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows arriving in theaters this weekend, Julie Clawson wrote on Sojourners' God's Politics blog about the work of the Harry Potter Alliance (HPA) a social justice organization made up of people who admire the characters (and character) of the Harry Potter books. Clawson said the mission of the HPA is similar to the work of Christians and should be admired. "Justice is justice, and good is good wherever it may be found. The more people that can use love to seek a better world the better. Call ourselves the DA (Dumbledore's Army) or the citizens of the kingdom; we are working for the same goal," said Clawson.

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